Hummingbird feeders and Orioles!

by Cindy Thill
(High Desert Mountains, So. Calif.)

Its amazing how many birds our little Hummingbird feeders will actually attract. Here are some pictures of different Orioles at one of my feeders.

Depending on which area you are in, they might help you identify some of the birds at your feeder's. These are just a few.

They include the Hooded Oriole, The Scott's Oriole, and the Bullock's Oriole.

Orioles have one of the prettiest songs.. whistle like melodies.. and each species just a little different to its own. I can always tell which of them are at the feeder, by their song.

It's said that the Orioles like grape jelly, and oranges.. and while I see them check those out, it is always the hummingbird feeder that they will go to first!

I have a few feeders out there, so that the Hummingbirds can get to one or the other if they are around.

I have pictures of the Hummingbird and the Ladderbacked Woodpecker perched together on the feeder,(an unbelievable site) the Verdin and the hummer, and the House Finch and the Hummer!

Occassionally they seem to peacefully share together. The Orioles however, wont tolerate any other bird or even other Orioles, with the exception of their own young at the feeders, while they are there!

Enjoy your bird watching this summer!! I hope this helps some of you!
Cindy

From: Wild-Bird-Watching.com

Thanks a bunch for the photos Cindy. I'm sure it will help countless visitors figure out what Orioles are coming to their Hummingbird Feeders.

You're correct about the oranges and grape jelly. While I go through an orange a day and a quart of grape jelly a week. The hummingbird feeder is always empty. Thanks again,

Gene

Just a Hummingbird Feeder? Part Two!

by Cindy
(High desert Mtns Calif.)

Hi to all you bird lovers!

Spring is definitely here in the Deserts.. and the beautiful Orioles are back. So exciting when they remember where they got some treats before.. and come back to you each year.

This is a Hooded Oriole. I've seen it around a few times, and took this picture from inside of my kitchen window! Yes.. Clean your windows.. and try it! LOL.. Such a beautiful song they bring to the yard.

I only have a short time of the season, in which I can put Orange slices onto the branches.. or set some jelly out for the Orioles, because of the ants. I have moats for the HB feeders.. but they too suffer when the bees.. come.

Even despite the bee guards.. because the woodpeckers get on the feeders and tip them then lap up the juice.. and then the bees can just stick to the feeders! Its awful. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Hope you enjoyed the picture,
Cindy

Humming Woodpecker!

by Karen Barchent
(Findlay, Ohio)

I ran across this picture the other day and thought I would share it with the readers. Sorry it isn't very clear. I had trouble focusing because I took it from inside the kitchen window.

Several years ago we had a rather dry spell; in fact, the meteorologists were calling it a drought. I looked out at my hummingbird feeder, and low and behold, there was a woodpecker trying its best to get a sip of nectar.

Since the perch of a hummingbird feeder is so small it was having a great deal of difficulty and I was getting a kick watching his efforts. Where there is a will, there is a way, and eventually its goal was achieved!

Since that time we have placed a birdbath in the backyard for our feathered friends, although I have never seen a woodpecker using it. That's gratitude for ya! :-)

Incidentally, be careful what, or rather HOW, you pray for something, as a week after this photo was taken we got about 12 in. of rain, and our town suffered a horrendous flood!

Move Over Hummers! Its the Verdin!

by Cindy
(So Call High Desert Mtns)

I cannot believe the different types of birds that will actually drink up the nectar from a Hummingbird feeder!

I was outside one day and heard unusual bird chirps, right above me. There on the Hummer feeder was this pair of tiny little birds I had never seen before. They were so tiny, just a bit bigger than the Hummingbirds.

My book tells me they are about 4 inches. Its name is the Verdin.

Boy were they all over that feeder till they figured out where the sweets were at. Once they found it they were drinking like crazy.

This picture is enlarged, so you can't really tell their actual size here.

Then like a little fighter Jet, came one of the female Rufous Hummers, darting down at them all around them almost to a DIVE right on them.

She wasn't about to share her feeder. I have a few different ones out there.. but this was this perticular lil' Hummers favorite spot! And she wasn't about to share it!

Goodness, wonder what other fruit eater will visit our nectar?

Keep your eyes on your feeders!

And don't forget to clean them often. You'll have healthy birds staying with you all through the season. And most come back to the same place each year, once they've claimed you!
Cindy

Orioles at my Hummingbird feeders!

by Cindy
(High Desert Mtns, California)

I have discovered that, of the Oriole feeders I have provided out in my yard, it is the Hummingbird feeders they go to first hand!

The finches will eat the Jelly, and so will the little Verdins, but the Orioles, when around, will completely guard those feeders!!

Here is a picture of a Bullocks Oriole at one of the feeders.

It's exciting to see them come back year after year. The other day we had an Oriole party, lol. We had the Hooded, the Scotts and the Bullocks all vying for the same feeder, even though I have many out set up.

It was really neat to see their behaviors. And to listen to the differences in their song! They have such a unique "Whistling", flute like song, each with different notes, it beautiful!

Hope you get a chance to see them.
Cindy

My hummingbird feeder surprise!

by Cindy
(Ca desert mtns.)

Okay... This is interesting.. ha ha.. I am learning that not only Hummingbirds, enjoy the sweet taste of nectar!

I originally put the feeder out early this year.. because standing on my porch one day.. planting my springtime flowers, brought a familiar buzzing sound to me. My little hummers were back and told me loud and clear.

Like little helicopters, hovering and asking.. whats up? Where's our nectar!!?? They seem to just communicate to ya. So in I went to get it for them.

Shortly after putting the old feeder out again for the second year.. I found this guy on it!! And he wasn't the least bit hesitant, despite our presence! What a beautiful bird.

He now visits the feeder at least once or twice a day.. that I have seen.

wonder if the hummingbirds are the same from last year? They certainly look and act the same!!

The male last year seemed to always come and perch nearby me after a drink. sit, fluff up, listen to me.. and act ever so comfortable..

Check him out in the lower picture under the Woodpecker!! He seemed to be saying.. I'm listening.. I promise I am!! I couldn't add two pictures I will in another submission.

Ever so fond of birding.